I have been a part of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda since my freshman year in high school. It has been 7 years since I joined this organization and embarked on a journey that I would have never imagined myself to take. FBLA-PBL isn’t just another one of those business organizations where you join to have something to put on your resume. It has become another essential part of my life, my 2nd family. I have met so many great people and learned so much. Without this organization, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Although I have a year left in college – literally a year because I plan on graduating in March of 2012 – I have decided to not run for state office again. There are actually many factors to my decision. It could be that 3 years on the team have worn me out, my lack of motivation and results as a state officer this year have made me realize the amount of dedication I have left, my plans of studying abroad this summer in South Korea that will hinder me from the state officers summer retreat, or even the fact that I’m graduating next March. Whatever it is, I felt like I have lost the enthusiasm and dedication to serve the members of California PBL. However, take note that my passion for this organization has not died down yet. I still want to be an integral part of this organization, be an active member, and help out whenever I can. It’s not a feeling of responsibility or maybe guilt of leaving the team… but rather just how much I love this organization and the people involved. I may not be on the team for the following year, or be as awesome and great as our state advisers, but I’ll be here to help out in any way possible.

With that, I hope that the 2011-2012 State Officer team and all future teams will realize and recognize the warmth and sincerity that PBL, especially California PBL, holds for its members.

This is my first farewell to FBLA-PBL. Hopefully, there will never be a definite and last farewell but we have to wait and see what my life has waiting for me in the future!

Our State Business Leadership Conference just concluded this past Sunday at the Hotel Maya in Long Beach, California. I personally feel that this conference was the best that I have ever been to and is the one that sets us apart from all the other states. There is that flavor or feel that it is California! I think that it can be thanks to the Paradise Attire theme of the Opening Session where everybody was encouraged to wear Hawaiian or Paradise attire. Nonetheless I had a great time and I hope the members did too 🙂

Our Awards & Recognition Ceremony took place Saturday evening. Like the past 3 years, I gave a short and concise farewell speech – a very generic one too if you think about it. However, I had originally written a 2-page (single spaced!) farewell speech with a paragraph each dedicated each state officer and state advisers. Michelle, my good friend, the one who pulled me into the world of PBL, the one who nearly killed me with a suitcase, the one who now spazzes about K-pop with me, is the ONE who told me that I should post my long farewell speech on my site. And frankly, I thought that that is a fabulous idea. Where else should I put it besides in my external harddrive to gather virtual dust? Might as well make use of my website right?! Well below is my original and long farewell… BUT it is not the absolute original for I have deleted each state advisers’ individual paragraphs to try to shorten it and stupidly did not save them…

Good evening California PBL! Serving as your 2010-2011 State VP of Membership, I am sad that the PBL year is coming to an end so soon. It wasn’t only an amazing year but also a wonderful journey during my college career where I have continued to create bonds and friendships with members from across the state. It was a rewarding experience and a memory that I’ll never forget. I will definitely not forget our state team and staff members who are like family to me.

Brianna, our princess who loves meat. Your unending love for clothes always cracks us up with your 6 inches heel. Your heels get higher and higher with every conference! But that’s not all that’s in my memory of you. Don’t you remember when we sat around your computer during SBLC last year drawing up that Miss PBL rubric? It’s so genius! With your stats skills, it’s definitely not lacking when compared to the grading rubrics of competitive events! But besides all this, it is your achievement of acquiring venues and sponsorships that has amazed me most. When we were in a crisis of not having a venue for SFBLC this year, I was in awe at your taking charge of making arrangements with the hotel. And because of you, we were able to hold a successful conference. I know that sometimes you feel pressured as a member, state officer, national officer, and even just as a student. But don’t keep it all to yourself… don’t forget that we’re all here for you! When you need to talk, just talk.

Bryan, our residential vain child. Stop kissing your biceps and making fun of us girls! You jerk! JK! You know we don’t mean it~ We’ve been on the team together for 3 years now, something I didn’t see when I first joined PBL… you’re like a kind of older brother I never had. I’ve witnessed the changes that you have gone through over these short 3 years-from being the quiet guy on the team whose phone number I didn’t even have to the talkative guy who I can find that’s always on Facebook. Even though we don’t talk often, it has always been enjoyable talking to you. Thank you for always looking out for us and cracking jokes or telling stories to lighten the atmosphere. As a fellow ex-bio major, I wish your success in your career! Strike it rich and buy us a meal!

Dheemanth, our long-winding story teller. I first met you in high school at the California FBLA summit. You were so enthusiastic and passionate about the organization and you still are now! It has been a pleasure working on membership together with you this year. Although we have met with some road blocks and obstacles this year, I hope that your love for this organization will continue to thrive just the way it has for the past 4 years and more. Keep it up, and stop sleeping so early! Gotta sacrifice some beauty sleep for PBL!~

Jackie, our eldest sister, the one who provides logic and reason to our debates. I think I first met you at NLC in 2008… I was a lost teenager just freshly graduated from high school not knowing where to begin or go. But I remember how you and your chapter welcomed me with open arms. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. And Roy! Where is Roy?! Is he being held captive somewhere again? Yari would like to play with him too you know! Next time we meet, bring him! Or else I’m going to be forced to kidnap him~

And Yvonne, our hyperactive yet direction blind kid. You crack us up with your hmm… I don’t know what to say…. Because you just do! I also first met you when we were in high school. I remember that it was at LDI in 2007! You and one of my friends had the same piano teacher and coincidentally saw each other at the conference. And that’s how our friendship began! I’m always amazed at how you do such a great job with the conference programs and stuffs! It’s certainly a skill that I would like to develop! However, despite your bubbly self, you stress out a lot. Don’t stress out so much! Everything is going to go well! If you’re worried, talk to us – we’re always here for you too!

And now our staff. Daddy Chris, Mommy Danielle, tech ninja Jason, FBLA-PBL dictionary Michelle, and head of family Glen. You guys are always there, taking care of our meals while helping us in the areas that we lack. Thank you for your unending support even when you have work and family to tend to.

Thank you team and staff, for being there and working together like a family this past year. Brianna, Bryan, Dheemanth, Jackie, and Yvonne, let’s have our reunion soon! I hope that the incoming officers will also experience the warmth that I have received as a member of PBL and that they will feel the same sentiments upon the entrance of their office.

With every party, there’s a farewell. A chapter has closed in my life but a new one awaits me! To all, the more effort you put into it, the more you will reap! So seize the day and give it your all! You only live once so live life to the fullest – Carpe Diem.

Danielle and Michelle… even though I tease you guys about being old I’m just kidding! I really did view you two as my older sisters, somebody I could trust and confide in. Thank you for being there for me since high school and guiding me for the past 4 years~ Danielle, do you remember that incident that happened at summit back in summer of 2007? I still remember your words that I could talk to you whenever (well not literally whenever haha) I needed to… and maybe because of that, that I began to view you as a mother (in high school because you are Mrs. Tuason! haha) and later as an older sister (in college because now you are Danielle! lol~). You’ll forever be my 4th mother! Michelle, summer of 2008 was the most traumatizing moment of my childhood… We got lost in Orlando, you lost ME in Atlanta, and you almost KILLED me with your suitcase… but like you said the other day, what a nice welcome to PBL huh? 😉 You are our FBLA-PBL dictionary/wikipedia! Whenever I had a question, you would always have an answer! Even though your dream (I don’t know if dream is the right word in this case…) was crushed 2 years ago, I hope that you won’t let go of FBLA-PBL so easily! Afterall, the Hallyu wave is just a temporary phenomenon and FBLA-PBL is real~ Anyways, get OkCat his surgery before I report you for stuffed animal abuse! The sentence isn’t light!~ D;

And that is the end of my farewell… one chapter has closed and another awaits me. No matter where life takes me, FBLA-PBL will always be a part of my life, now and forever.